Sands recognized at S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, funds responsible gaming research

Operator Las Vegas Sands and its subsidiary Sands China, Ltd. have earned awards in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2022, the group announced last Thursday. Sands was the only US-based casino and gaming company included in the yearbook.

Las Vegas Sands received a silver class award, while Sands China received a bronze class award. The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook is a comprehensive annual publication on the state of corporate sustainability around the world.

The Yearbook compiles the top performers in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), an annual evaluation of corporate sustainability practices. The CSA assesses more than 10,000 companies from around the world, a press release explains.

Companies must score within the top 15% of their industry and achieve an S&P Global Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) score within 30% of their industry’s top-performing company in order to be listed in the yearbook.

Sands’ distinction in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2022 is the latest in a number of recognitions from reputational benchmarks measuring environmental, social and governance performance, according to the casino and resort company.

Sands received a silver class award and Sands China, Ltd. received a bronze class award in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2022. Sands was the only U.S.-based casino and gaming company included in the 2022 Yearbook. Read more at https://t.co/CW0B7zQNYs pic.twitter.com/CPwtILAOH7

— Las Vegas Sands (@LasVegasSands) February 17, 2022

In addition to being awarded in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, the company has recently earned its ninth designation on the Fortune “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, for the sixth straight year.

Additionally, Sands earned a place on the Newsweek America’s Most Responsible Companies 2022 list while in November 2021, it was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for World and North America. It was the only US-based hospitality and gaming company recognized by both DJSI World and DJSI North America last year.

“Our inclusion in these prestigious benchmarks signifies the commitment and dedication we have to responsible business performance and supporting our people, communities and the planet,” said Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer at Sands. 

According to the executive, Sands is driven “by continuous improvement,” and the continued recognition demonstrates the company is “evolving and making progress” in addressing the most important ESG topics for its business and stakeholders.

Responsible gaming

The inclusion in the ESG benchmark builds upon a donation earlier this month to further responsible gaming research and education. Sands provided $300,000 in funding to the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) to that end, the company announced last Tuesday.

The donation supports the nonprofit organization’s ongoing research and education on gambling disorders and responsible gaming. For more than 25 years, the center has aimed to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorders “through first-class research and evidence-based education programs,” according to a press release.

Sands has been a long-time supporter of ICRG, with past donations helping fund a series of projects, including the first research effort focused on training credit counselors to identify clients with gambling problems and offer support, as well as the first website designed to reduce gambling problems among college students.

Sands continues its support for the International Center for Responsible Gaming with new grant. Read the full story at https://t.co/eFRJhaAaMB pic.twitter.com/780puGtISE

— Las Vegas Sands (@LasVegasSands) February 15, 2022

“Sands has been one of ICRG’s leading donors for nearly a decade,” said ICRG President Arthur Paikowsky last week. “Their support has enabled the ICRG to build the field of research that will lead to effective treatment, prevention and responsible gaming.”

Sands’ ICRG support complements the company’s Sands Project Protect program, “a comprehensive global initiative” that provides safeguards for guests and team members by promoting responsible gaming practices, preventing financial crimes and providing counter-human trafficking measures.

“Sands Project Protect offers a best-in-class, global responsible gaming program that aims to reduce gaming risk and improve social safeguards to help our guests make informed choices,” said Maria-Christina Annaloro, director of government relations and responsible gaming at Sands. 

Sands ESG program

Sands’ global corporate responsibility commitment encompasses an expansive body of work built on three pillars, the company says. These foundational columns are People, Communities and Planet.

The People pillar drives the company’s focus on being the employer and partner of choice in the regions it operates in by building a culture dedicated to supporting team members, guests, suppliers and partners.

Meanwhile, the global Sands Cares community engagement program leads the Community pillar and guides the company’s efforts “to solve pressing social issues,” a press release explains. It also aims to create resiliency and maximize its regions’ strengths as valuable tourism destinations.

Las Vegas Sands has again been named one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” in Fortune’s annual list of the most respected and reputable businesses. Sands’ 2022 appearance on the list is its sixth straight and ninth in the past decade. Read more at https://t.co/nb2GUFsFzu pic.twitter.com/tFUfVkDVX5

— Las Vegas Sands (@LasVegasSands) February 4, 2022

Finally, the Planet pillar finds Sands working “to ensure the long-term environmental health” of its regions. It is led by the Sands ECO360 global sustainability program, which drives initiatives addressing low-carbon transition, water stewardship, waste, plastic and packaging, and responsible sourcing.

The company reports its goals, progress and accomplishments in these three pillar areas, along with practices around ethics and governance, in its annual Sands Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report.